Presentation on Coal’s water use: Global picture, and case studies from China, India and South Africa, by Iris Cheng from Greenpeace Internationalat 2014 UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference. Preparing for World Water Day 2014: Partnerships for improving water and energy access, efficiency and sustainability. 13-16 January 2014.

1. Coal’s water use
Global picture, and case studies from China, India and South Africa
Iris Cheng, Climate & Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace International
iris.cheng@greenpeace.org

2. Coal’s water consumption:
half of future growth in energy demand for water
All energy:
66 135 billion cubic
meters (bcm)
(2010-2035)
Coal:
37  70 bcm
Roughly responsible
for half of the growth
Source: IEA WEO 2012, current
policy scenario

3. China: Mismatch between Coal & Water Resources
By 2015, 16 new coal power bases will
consume 10 billion m3 of water
annually – equivalent to about one
sixth of the annual total water
volume of the Yellow River,
triggering severe water crises in the
country’s arid Northwest.
53% of ensured coal reserves are
in water scarce or water deficit
regions.
McKinsey estimates that China will
have an unmet water demand of over
200 billion m3 (25% of total supply) by
2030.

4. India: coal’s major clash with agriculture
•Vidarbha in Maharashtra is highly water stressed.
•Current: 4 state owned coal plants generate ~ 4500 MW.
•Water diverted to coal plants ILLEGALLY.
•Proposed: 71 new coal plants (54GW): locations include 6 most
distressed areas, in which 6,084 farmers committed suicide in 20012010 due to lack of irrigation facilities leading to lost of livelihood.
Coal
power
plants
No. of
plants
Generation
capacity
MW
Water allocation
(106 m3)
Approved
33
24655.5
1008.9 (35.6
tmcft)
Pending
38
30041.5
1040.31 ( 36.7
tmcft)
Total
71
54697
2049.2 ( 72
tmcft)
As of December 2010

5. South Africa: coal threatening water access
Water:
 2030: unmet water demand of 2.7 billion m3 (17% of total supply)
 A million households without access to min 25 litres /person /day.
 Growing no. of water scarcity driven ‘service delivery protests’
Coal deepening the crisis:
Energy mix: 93% coal (vs 0.008% wind, almost no solar)
13 coal plants (34GW) + 3 new ultra mega plants (~15GW)
Dry cooling still uses water: Kusile needs 26.15 million m3 / year
Coal mining: water intensive, acid mine drainage a major cause of water
pollution

6. Single biggest determining factor: energy choice
Why partnership is needed:
Globally: 1500 proposed coal plants – preventing lock-in is key.
 We already have the technology – energy planning and utilities’ business
model need to catch up.

7. Single biggest determining factor: energy choice
Why partnership is needed:
Globally: 1500 proposed coal plants – preventing lock-in is key.
 We already have the technology – energy planning and utilities’ business
model need to catch up.